Governor's budget plans don't require tax hikes

SPRINGFIELD – The $45.4 billion spending plan Gov. Rod Blagojevich unveiled today would increase funding for higher education, preschool and K-12, health care and public safety, without hiking general sales or income taxes.

The governor was able to do so largely because of legislation enacted last May that allowed smaller state pension contributions in this budget year and the next than would otherwise be permitted. That freed up about $1.1 billion in the budget for the budget year that begins July 1.

Also on this date

• State leader makes higher ed a priority
• Two Daily Illini editors suspended from jobs
• Council backs strategies for downtown development
• UI Women's Club uses day of love to mark 100 years
• Obituaries

» More